Interior Ministry: Leader of the Attack on Saudi Embassy Abroad Arrested

According to Hossein Zolfaqari, the Deputy Security Minister of Iran, the attack on the Saudi embassy was not organized by a specific organization or Basij bases, but rather was led by an individual abroad who has been arrested and transferred to Iran and is currently being interrogated. On Thursday, January 21, in a press conference, Zolfaqari stated: "In response to the question of whether those who carried out this act were organized, we must say that yes, these individuals came organized." According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), the Deputy Security Minister added that these individuals "have been active in charitable and religious activities in Karaj and Tehran for over ten years." Zolfaqari mentioned that "some officials knowingly and unknowingly supported them," while also stating: "The incident at the Saudi embassy was not organized by a specific organization or Basij bases, but was organized by an individual abroad." According to Tasnim News Agency, this Iranian security official further explained: "We were caught off guard by some information and planning. We even said to prohibit gatherings in front of the embassy, but they assured us, but we said we are not reassured." Zolfaqari stated, "Some prayed and prepared Molotov cocktails," and "someone across the borders was leading these individuals and was giving orders via Telegram that day at noon." This Iranian security official did not provide further details about the individuals and groups he mentioned but announced that a "report covering all aspects of the incident" is being prepared for submission to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. One day prior to these statements, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, described the attack on the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran as a "very bad and wrong act" that "is detrimental to Islam and everyone," stating: "One should not accuse a faithful and Hezbollah youth under the pretext of this incident." On Saturday, January 12, Saudi Arabia executed Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, a leader of the Shiites in the country accused of terrorist activities, along with 46 others, most of whom were Sunni prisoners or linked to al-Qaeda. Following this, several plainclothes forces attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad, setting fire to the buildings of these two diplomatic locations. In the aftermath of this incident, Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries cut or reduced their relations with Iran. The United Nations Security Council also condemned this incident strongly. The Islamic Republic government expressed regret over this issue, emphasizing its commitment to protecting diplomatic premises and identifying and punishing those responsible for the attack on the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran.